We often get request from clients who do not have a budget for a food stylist however with limited experience with food styling. We at foodphotography.com.my usually will give advice on how to improve the outlook of their food before a photography sessions. Here are some basic rules when preparing foods for photography session.
Main Foods
Main foods. The food should be prepared fresh with chef on the spot. Ingredients are carefully selected when purchased. It is important to prepare extra foods in case the hero food is damaged.
Meat
Muttons and meat should be sliced nicely. Foods are generally easier to shot when stacked higher. Therefore higher is always better. Items such as shaped styrofoam can be used to make foods higher. Foods should not be overcooked into darker colors.
Vegetables
It is very important for not overcooking any vegetables as it will lose it’s freshness and colors. Some foods such as tomatoes and shallot will look great with a few seconds in deep fryer.
Garnishing and colors
Garnishing and decorations. Contrast of food colors are important as typically traditional Indian cuisine are usually in darker brown or red colors. We can balance out these colors with sharp green garnishes. Parsley, basil, cilantro,green chilies, fried curry leaf will work well.
Background
Raw materials that are used to cook the foods will be great as background or foreground of the main foods. Traditional bronze ware will look good. A non complex traditional Indian cloth ( saree) can be used as table cloth.